Although it represents less than 5% of the global population, the United States has 25% of the world’s prison population, some 2.3 million people, most of whom are poor. Its prisons are notorious for their violence, overcrowding, and human rights abuses, including the widespread use of solitary confinement. But what is often not examined is what happens to those released from prisons into a society where they face legalized discrimination imposed by numerous laws, rules, and policies that result in permanent marginalization. Thrust into a criminal caste system, these former prisoners are often denied the right to vote, can lose their passports, are barred from receiving public assistance, including housing, and are blocked from a variety of jobs. They must often repay exorbitant fines, abide by arbitrary rules imposed by probation officers, and avoid committing even minor criminal offenses or they go back to prison. The hurdles placed before them are momentous—and these hurdles help explain why, within five years, a staggering 76% return to prison.
In the first of a two-part series called The Long Road Home, we look at what happens to those in the United States who leave prison and struggle to reenter society through the eyes of five former prisoners—all of whom Chris Hedges taught in the college degree program offered by Rutgers University in the New Jersey prison system—who collectively spent 119 years in prison.
Directors of Photography: Chris Arnone and Michael Johnson 
Produced by: Rebecca Myles and Chris Arnone
Editing by: Chris Arnone, Michael Johnson, and Shawn McMillan
Graphic design by: Shawn McMillan
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** (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) **
Caged Bird 🦅
America prison system is a slave ship on ground.
The prison contractors obviously want people to stay locked up. It’s a business to them
Any of the "they did the crime " folks, look at other countries, especially the northern European countries, they still have prisoners but very humane
Good show…I like this format and the discussion of the effects of victimization and imprisonment has no voice in a society that demands prisoners be deprived of life and Being of their maturity.
Slavery has never ended in the USA !
How about you don't do a crime that puts you in prison for 30 years.
The American judicial system is a disgrace.
Thank you, Chris!
Bravo!!!
My first and only stay in a prison was when i had to do two weeks (only) in a prison for a crime i did not commit before i finally was able to got bail. I almost went insane in those 2 weeks knowing I should not be there because i knew i didnt do the crime; it truly did a number on my head for those 14 days…so I cannot even imagine what it would be like for that one guy Chris mentioned who wouldnt confess remorse for a crime he didnt commit and having to spend years and years in prison as a result. A stronger man than I that guy is for I would probably crack and give the board that fake confession of remorse just to get the hell out of prison.
This is the awesome series that Professor Chris Hedges did about his experience working with inmates in prisons and trying to help them re-integrated into society when they got out.
I watched it when it came out- super touching (and edifying).
Terach these guys to be carpenters. I can't hire a good carpenter to save my life. I found one good one the other day, he did a great job, then never heard from him again.
As we all role our sleeves up and muck in
He with out Sin
Cast the first Stone!!!
They are suffering post traumatic stress syndrome!!
Look 😢â¤
They look and woke up
In partnership together we can and will achieve everlasting success and Change
Remember
Create it yourselves!
Be mindful what you choose!!
WWG1WGA â¤
These people need our support
Education for their progression
Roots
Based on Eaquality of opportunity
Supported people who work successfully and learn to thrive again!!
You will never walk alone again!
Your life has so many opportunities!!
We see you!!
Together we can and will save our People!!
WWG1WGA
The system is broken Beyond Repair!!
We see you and hear you
WWG1WGA
Here’s an idea… Why don’t they have “parole duty†just like they have jury duty? So instead of being judged by a bunch of power-hungry people within the system, who are jaded to think that all criminals are the same, you’re actually judged by random peers within your community who will determine whether they think you’re safe for their community.
Excons are worth more inside than out.
but o'll say it again what happened with ron and that teacher i think that was rough really its a deep one that but it was a bad deal all round not as if he was involved in the outfit and organised crime and for him the jail was just same as the street like ya fifth floor at miami county jail
Great important work, Mr. Hedges. I admire you for all your life's work.
I wonder if you have or been thinking doing another examination of convicted felons claiming innocence. I myself been found guilty and received a ten year sentence but actually going to be suffering it's consequences through the rest of my life not to mention being prohibited to even see my children for the last seventeen years and still going. Doing time in prison when you unjustly convicted is about three times more difficult as opposed to paying debt to society.
hey chris hedges do you remebr that novelist who was on louis theroux that jay who was on solitary and he wrote them 4 books the g mash genernal and get money and get paid louis theroux the miami mega jail episode 2 be interested to see what happened to him
Great free video. Thank you. 😉😂😉😉😄😂😉😄😋😉😄😋😙😄😋😙😄😙😋😄😋😙😄😋😙😄😙😋😄😉😂😃😃😉ðŸ˜ðŸ˜‰ðŸ˜ƒðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ƒðŸ˜‰ðŸ˜‰ðŸ˜ƒðŸ˜ðŸ˜‰ðŸ˜ƒðŸ˜‚😉😂😃😉😋😃😙😎😎😎
Much love Chris. You're a beautiful human being. You're an example of what a human being should strive to be.
i could do hard time in the hole more then i could do gerneral pop
to me segregation no one bothers ya and just read and dont do general populations shit
i know gangsters and street guys and the outfit but i anit involved with them and if i got jail its just put me on solitary but give me my books but i want to go on solitary
kabeer is going north kensington and hitting the street and hes not a stupid man and a few guys offa this long roang home i thing chris hedges this is the best documentary ya done i know jail birds and i know the outfit as well and i honestly think this is ya bestr work chris hedges
LIFERS GROUP APPROVES these videos!
but your man there who was rude to the teacher at a clas s i thought whe was rough on him if she knew then its a pinch of salt and that could have been sorted out and that would have made a difference to him and her yeah he went down for murder but he wasnt involved in the outfit make a mistake or where the mind goes the man follows thing but hes paid his price and i can tewll it really teared him up inside
sasy one thing for ameroca there is a certain amount of empaty and caring unlike the uk where its fuck off get out get a job sort yaself out and do one and no one cares and ya man just ends up on the streets or involved wih a county line operation then bum back in
When I was in prison you visited me….I lost my faith but still believe the message that what we do unto the least of all of humanity we do unto all of humanity and deeply regret America's leadership is not founded on that aspect of their supposed claim to Christian values. Excellent work Mr. Hedges and these comments are encouraging
It's amazing to me that people still feel like sending people to prisons to endure these things is healthy for society?
I know you are only one man, Mr. Hedges. But I would love it to see a whole series like this one.
Mbembe calls prisons "death worlds". Your life is more than just your flesh, it is everything that you are and everywhere you go. Jail is the state taking a very real part of your extended physical life. It is an act of supreme violence. Often committed against the weakest and most vulnerable of us. George Floyd's "claustrophobia" seen in the famous video is a very good example.
It's not that the people who put them in prison are the worst but that the inmates created a place they could not see as humane and the world is not at fault for the way people choose to behave.
Incredible work. Thank y oh.
I SPENT MY LAST 4 OF MY 15 YEARS
I MAXED OUT IN RAHWAY STATE PRISON NOW EAST JERSEY STATE PRISON
Thanks for doing this Chris. It's important work.
Awesome. C Hedges is a gift to humanity!
Can't be a felon if working at Whole Foods? How?
Chris, good American great legend, have a nicer life fr ASEAN air rock
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Great introspection into the forgotten cast of people in our society
And how many bank executives went to jail during the 2008 financial crisis despite their having ruined thousands and maybe millions of lives? Oh yea……zero.
Just an excellent video here … these guys done a great job and spoke from the heart and truthful … something that is getting more rare in the freeworld, more truth in there than out here. Glad to see Chris steady at the Real News Network … and as usual, good work by the RNN. Another thing, I seen people get violated on probation and parole, both, for things that were not even criminal offenses … such as not reporting your change of address in 24 hours, etc.
Never even imagined of what those people would went through and how the horrific experiences are imbued in them. It was uneasy to watch.
It’s time for the criminal Elite do the same time
No country club prisons for these deranged Elite- politicians and bullies criminal
Time to give them some of their own medicine
Stop treating the Elite like they are special a criminal is a criminal
Apply the full Law
No more B S enough is enough
Rise up humanity no more oppression and bullying
Power to the People now
"We tortured some folks" B. Obama
I had a friend who was a probation officer in NYC. She said that if you are ever caught and charged with a crime, all they want to hear is how you did it, what your weapon was, why you did it. She cautioned, don't try to defend yourself or say you didn't do it–they will throw the book at you. Unfortunately I heard her advice too late to tell another friend who had been charged with harming a minor. He fought the charge, even going to a jury trial. Even though there was no indication of any physical harm done to the child, as reported by examining doctor, he was found guilty & given maximum sentence. Upon reviewing other similar cases, those who left behind bloody children were given 2 years at plea bargain. You are indeed guilty until found innocent–or can plea bargain a shorter term just for going along with the narrative. As to parole & return to prison, it's just like "healthcare" in USA, more money is made when you return for more "treatment." It's a for profit system.